Hi Mum,

I have finally arrived at the gates or Tortage and what an impressive city it is!  A large portcullis is set between two guard towers with the walls of the city stretching as far as I can see.  It seems the city must be getting ready for some kind of festival, as there was a human shaped pinyata dangling from the planks between the towers, an odd form of decoration but definitely eyecatching.

I was in such desperate need of a bath that I tried to sneak through the porticullus the next time it opened.  No sooner did I set foot through into the town proper and a bouncer set up on me tossing me back out mumbling something about not meeting the dress code standards.  The man at the gate says he cannot let me in until I get rid of the shackles around my wrists.  A quick visit to the blacksmith and my iron bracelets are gone... pity with a little embellishment they could have made excellent accessories.  The bouncer named Laranga lets me pass in exchange for delivering a love letter to his squeeze in the Inn.

Mum, the city of Tortage is incredible, and very progressive!  There are wheelbarrow ramps all over the city for the handicapped, and there is a Town Crier at the gates who gives updates about job opportunities within the city, and the efforts the local constabulary are making to keep the town safe.

I had managed to pick a few coppers from the pockets of the pirates on my way to the city, and even more pressing than my desire to bathe, was the rumbling of my stomach, it had been several hours since my last meal.  The city was bustling with merchants of every kind, and it didn't take long to find Nalla's Shop filled with a wide variety of meats, fish and vegetables.  Nalla assured me that the Rat-in-a-trap was fresh that morning, so I picked up a few of those before heading to the Thirsty Dog Inn.  Not as good as your Rat Pie is Mum, but it was good!

I found Tina at the Inn, and she was kind enough to let me rest in her bed until dark.  She also gave me directions to Nadini, the woman that Kalanthes said I should seek out.  At first Nadini was scared of me, thinking that I worked for a tyrant named Strom who apparently controls the comings and goings within Tortage.  After settling her down she began to ask me about my tattoo.  At first I thought she had some ointment or balm that would rid me of it, but it turns out she was an astrologer or fortune teller of some kind.  She tried to impress me by guessing what I did for a crust back home, mumbling some generic mumbo jumbo that could have fit any number of professions really.  She must have heard about that time I snuck into Gammy's kitchen and stole a jar of candied spider legs because she seemed to think I had the skills of a thief! 

I tried to book passage home on a ship, but apparently there is some sort of trade dispute occuring between a group known as "the rebels" and Strom.  Seems if I wish to come home again I must speak to Strom myself.  Nadini sent me back to Tina with the suggestion that she might be able to help me fill the blank spots in my memory.  I am going to have to buy some more parchment and ink for my quill and write all this down, I shall never remember it otherwise!

I must go for now Mum, Tina has sent me on another errand.  I suppose I shouldn't complain she has offered me a place to stay.  I hope you are well.  For a little while at least it seems I will be staying at the Thirsty Dog Inn, if you get a chance write me and let me know how everyone is back home.

love, Crunchie